Blackouts, trees down as big storm batters west

Ben Grubb, Jonathan Swan

Thunderstorms hits Sydney's west

On Thursday evening thunderstorms hit Sydney's west, causing damage to a number of homes and businesses.

A SEVERE thunderstorm ripped through Sydney's western suburbs on Thursday night, damaging the roofs of businesses and homes, cutting power to about 3500, and uprooting trees.

The State Emergency Service said at 7.30pm it had received 180 calls for help. The worst-affected areas were at Penrith, Cambridge Park, Horsley Park, Ingleburn and Mount Druitt.

At Blacktown, a fallen power pole trapped a man in his car. He was freed by Fire and Rescue NSW.

In Denham Court a building collapsed, killing a horse.

Advertisement

Rob Sharpe, a meteorologist with Weatherzone, which is owned by Fairfax Media, said winds reached speeds of 107km/h at Penrith and in 10 minutes of the storm beginning 17 millimetres of rain fell in the suburb.

The SES had received 17 reports of roof damage by late Thursday night, spokesman Phil Campbell said. He said a partial roof collapse forced the evacuation of Carnes Hill Marketplace.

The manager of Best Buy Auto on Castlereagh Road, Penrith, Wayne Gerahty, was outside but under cover when the storm hit. He was still drenched two hours after it passed. ''Our yard looks like a disaster area,'' he said. ''The rain was horizontal. I'm 52 and I haven't seen rain like that.''

Mr Gerahty said the wind smashed the windscreens, bent aluminium flag poles and tore others out of the ground and wiped out the yard's power.

Douglas Rawnsley, owner of Penrith City Car Wash, was outside when the storm hit. His staff managed to get indoors, but he could not walk against the wind, so he grasped a pole.

''I was just hanging onto the pole,'' Mr Rawnsley said. ''It just became so fierce so quick. A customer came in and the door nearly blew off his car.''